STT 351-101: Probability & Statistics for Engineers
Summer A-2016
Day and Time
: MWF 12:40-2.30 pm
Venue : A-201 Wells Hall
Instructor : Vellaisamy Palaniappan
Office : C 433 Wells Hall, East Lansing
Phone Number : 353-7173
E-mail : vellaisa@stt.msu.edu
Website : www.stt.msu.edu/Academics/ClassPages (then click on STT-351)
Office hours : M and W : 10.30-12.30, Thursday 4.00-5.00 pm and by appointment.
Text: Probability and Statistics for Engineering and the Sciences, Jay L. Devore, 8th edition, Cengage
learning (US Edition).
Course Description: Statistics is a discipline that supports the research and development; its methods
help scientists and engineers answer questions in the face of variability and uncertainty. In STT 351, the
students are exposed to basic probabilistic models and statistical methods that are used in engineering
disciplines, applied research and industry. Continuous themes are the importance of quality data, the
careful use of terms, and the clear presentation of statistical information and analysis.
Coverage: The text book will be followed fairly closely. Selected parts of Chapters 1-9 and Chapter 12.
Prerequisite: (MTH 234)
Attendance: You are expected to attend all the meetings of the class. If you miss a class for whatever
reason, you are responsible for all the materials, assignments and the deadlines missed. While office hours
provide an opportunity for further clarification of materials covered in class, office hours will not substitute
for classes.
Exams: There will be two Quizzes (50 minutes), two tests (one hour each) and a final exam. The final is
a 2-hour exam and will be a comprehensive one.
Quiz-1 (50 points) : Wednesday, May 25.
Test 1 (100 pts) : Monday, June 6.
Quiz-2 (50 points) : Monday, June 13.
Test 2 (100 pts) : Friday, June 24.
Final Exam (200 pts) : Wednesday, June 29
Note: All exams are “closed books” and “closed notes”. Formula sheets will be permitted. No make-ups
are given without a verifiable medical excuse.
Homework assignments: Homework exercises from the text book will be assigned regularly in class.
They will not be collected and graded, but we recommend you to work out the problems. The problems
for the quizzes and the tests will be mostly based on them.
Grading : The course grade will be based on the total number of points accumulated in two tests (200
pts), two quizzes (100 pts.), and the final exam (200 pts.). TOTAL: 500 pts.
A Tentative Grading scale:
Points earned
Grade
Points earned
Grade
450-500
4.0
350-374
2.0
425-449
3.5
325-349
1.5
400-424
3.0
250-324
1.0
375-399
2.5
0-249
0.0
Important dates:
May 16 : First day of classes
May 18
: Open adds end (8:00 pm)
May 30 : Holiday. University closed
May 26 : Last day to drop with refund (8:00 pm)
June 8 : Last day to drop with no grade reported (8:00 pm)
June 29 : Last day of classes
Tips: This course is demanding and requires a great deal of work. Students are responsible for all material
covered in class. Students are expected to attend each class period and to bring text and a calculator.
Read the textbook as assigned. Study the examples solved in class and in the textbook. Then do the
homework problems. Try to study every day even if it has to be a few minutes only. Do not fall behind!
Policies: Academic Honesty: The Department of Statistics and Probability adheres to the policies of
academic honesty as specifies in the General Student Regulations 1.0, Protection of Scholarships and
Grades, and in the All-University of Integrity of Scholarship and Grades which are included in Spartan
Life: Student Handbook and Resource Guide. Students who plagiarize will receive a grade 0.0 on the
assignment.
Disclaimer: The instructor reserves the right to make any changes he considers academically advisable.
Changes will be announced in class, it is your responsibility to keep up with any changed policies.
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